Pisa, Field of Miracles, Italy.

Cemetary

Duomo as viewed from Baptistry window

Leaning Tower of Pisa

 Still snowed in, and thinking about summer sun and holidays.

Possibly the best tourist attraction in the world is, in my mind, the Field of Miracles in Pisa. Normally when you visit these places you have heard about and seen on tv they never live up to the hype. Pisa, and the Leaning Tower, and the Field of Miracles where the tower is,  is the opposite. It was so staggeringly beautiful that I actually cried.

Every aspect of the buildings in the Field of Miracles is so intricate and ornate. The doors as you enter the duomo in particular were striking. In one of the panals you see the devil being cast out of heaven, and his wings are so detailed and real looking you expect them to be soft to touch.

If you ever get the chance to visit Pisa do spend at least one day just in the Field of Miracles.

Miracle Mosaic insida Pisa Duomo

Pulpit detail

Romulus and Remus statue

Castlemorton and Hollybed Common, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire

Swinyard Hill and Hangman's Hill as seen from Castlemorton Common

The Mill Pond on Hollybed Common

 Castlemorton and Hollybed Common are the largest remaining parts of what once were the Royal Hunting Grounds of King James 1. It is a flat and open landscape to the west of which the Malvern Hills rise. There is somehow a vastness to this place that is exhilarating and uplifting.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to it's rare flora and fauna, who rely upon its grassland. To ensure the survival of this habitat sheep and cattle graze across the open ground.

Today is wonderfully bright and, despite an occasional light snow flurry, due to the lack of wind it feels remarkably warm. An easy walk or cycle could be enjoyed due to the areas flatness. It is an ideal place to explore if you are finding the hills taxing, or for picnics and kite flying on sunnier warmer days.

Panoramic shot from Castlemorton Common

In amongst the sheep grazing on the common